French firms tap Sri Lanka’s transforming urban development

Friday, 5 July 2013 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam High-powered delegates from France presented to local companies their expertise on urban development yesterday to help Sri Lanka during its massive transformation in that arena. Jointly organised by the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka-France Business Council, the symposium on ‘French Expertise in Urban Development’ served a platform for the visiting representatives of the 10 French companies to highlight to the audience, which included the public and private sector, the importance of sustainable urban development. The objective of the symposium was to provide local companies and implementing agencies engaging in urban and infrastructure development the opportunity to share French know-how on the different aspects of the urban development sphere.

Representing companies from France included Alstom Transport, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Degremont, DTP Terrassement, Egis International, Ellipse Projects, Signes-Paysages, Unibridgen Veolia, and Vinci Constructions. Nothing that France has conceptualised innovative solutions for the problems arising from urban development, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and Maldives Christine Robichon expressed during her speech that the link between urban development and culture is very valid. “In our globalised world, urbanisation of cities to be successful has not only worked to improve the quality of life but to also respect nature, protect cultural heritage and souls of cities,” she said. With France being an uncontested forerunner in innovative urban development and environment relations, Sri Lanka-France Business Council President Dilipan Tyagarajah acknowledged that France has a long established dominance in infrastructure projects. “Time tested traditions in urban planning in sustainable development have to be shared with our implementing agencies in Sri Lanka, and the private sector. Sustainable development of cities and their territories is a key priority,” he said. Tyagarajah stated that while France has developed actions for curbing climate change and has adapted well within its own territory for many decades, the country has successfully transferred these technologies around the world through development projects which it has partnered in with developing countries. “Emerging cities in developing countries are keen on gaining insights on best practices, solutions and strategies. Therefore, there is no doubt that all those who are interested in mechanisms developed by France will be able to rethink how best we could use the similarly,” opined Tyagarajah. Laying the foundation for the symposium, National Physical Planning Department Director General J. M. L. Jayasekara presented the National Physical Plan 2011-2030 for Sri Lanka. “There are many challenges that Sri Lanka has to overcome. These challenges cannot be overcome by the Government alone. It has to be with the participation of the professionals and the business community, both in Sri Lanka and aboard,” stressed Jayasekara. On that note he presented the rough cut of Sri Lanka’s thinking about the future, in terms of infrastructure, urban development and various other sectors. Meanwhile, Urban Development Authority (UDA) Head of Business Development Unit Dhananjaya Siriwardena showcased to the audience new initiatives taken by the UDA which according to him has helped change the landscape of Colombo. He highlighted that the UDA is in the process of refurbishing heritage buildings, such as the Dutch Hospital, and the Racecourse in Colombo, so that the future generation of the nation could also enjoy these sites. He also pointed out that the UDA has launched the Urban Regeneration Project with the aim of providing shelter for 70,000 underserved people living in Colombo metropolitan. Siriwardena stated that the self-funded project has nearly completed the construction of 13,000 housing units. He noted that several mega development projects that will change the skyline of Colombo will soon be launched by the UDA.